The mistress who remarried has returned.

Shen Shu caught up at this moment, saying, "Qin Huai, I heard that the Emperor intends to order you to set off immediately to conquer Da Qi. I'm worried that Zhou Qiu and the Emperor might try to sabotage you. You must be careful on this expedition against Da Qi."

With a snap.

Qin Huai raised his hand and slapped himself across the face, instantly leaving five finger marks on his cold and stern face.

Shen Shu was taken aback. "No, did I just tell you to be careful, or did I tell you to slap yourself?"

Shen Shu himself couldn't remember what he had said; his friend's slap was quite sudden.

Qin Huai said to Shen Shu, "I'm such a fool, Shen Shu."

Shen Shu was genuinely confused. "What's wrong with you?"

Chen Lin then entered the room to report, "Sir, we've found out who was behind the affair between you and Liangdi that we reported to Madam Qin last time."

Qin Huai looked up at Chen Lin, staring intently. "Who is it?"

"Xue Wenying," Chen Lin said bluntly.

Upon hearing this, Qin Huai seemed to be deep in thought. Xi Xi's questions to him yesterday were not empty words. What was she to him during those seven years? There must be a reason for her asking such a question.

Chen Lin whispered, "When Liangdi was carrying her things away, she looked especially heartbroken."

Seeing that his friend looked unwell, Shen Shu couldn't help but ask, "What's wrong, Qin Huai?"

"Shen Shu, I think I... wronged my wife." Qin Huai said with a helpless smile.

Shen Shu was shocked. "Ah? Four years ago, you ruined her reputation. She had been accused of adultery for four years. If it weren't for the Crown Prince's protection, she wouldn't have had much of a chance to survive."

Qin Huai rubbed his aching forehead, his jealousy of Zhou Yu reaching its peak at that moment.

***

The emperor hosted a banquet for Qin Huai in the Imperial Garden.

It was more like a family dinner.

Su Yunxi was led by the Empress Xiao to sit in the seat of honor, with the Crown Prince and Zhou Yuan also by her side. She was surrounded by stars, and she suddenly became the Empress's favorite.

Madam Qin attended the event with Xue Wenying, while Qin Huai sat beside Madam Qin.

The Emperor and Lord Qin were speaking at the head of the table.

Empress Xiao said to Madam Qin, "Your eldest son is deeply in love with Miss Xue, and now they can be considered a happy couple. When will you welcome her into the house?"

Although Madam Qin was reluctant, she had tried everything. Qin Huai was too obsessed with Xue Wenying, so she had no choice but to give in. After they got married, Xue Wenying wouldn't be able to cause any trouble. So she said, "We'll welcome her in on the eighth day of the second month."

Seeing Empress Xiao holding Su Yunxi's hand with such affection, she was quite envious. Such a good woman as Xixi should have been her daughter-in-law. It was a pity that Qin Huai had no taste and was blind to talent, driving away such a good daughter-in-law.

"The Empress and the Crown Prince owe their current status to this concubine, she certainly did." Madam Qin said sourly.

Empress Xiao nodded with some concern, then immediately clarified, "It's no longer appropriate to call her Liangdi. I have already asked the Emperor to draft an edict to promote this child to Crown Princess. The investiture ceremony will be held soon."

Xue Wenying looked at Su Yunxi with a rather provocative expression and said, "Congratulations, Liangdi, your patience has finally paid off."

Su Yunxi smiled and said, "Same to you."

What else can we say but share our joy? Haven't we all finally seen the light at the end of the tunnel?

She caught a cold after sleeping with Qin Huai that day, and her body ached for a day or two afterward. She had little interest in this banquet, and it would be inconvenient for her to disrespect the Empress and the Crown Prince on this occasion. She came today hoping to get back the letter of release from her concubine from Zhou Yu.

She didn't want to continue watching Qin Huai and Xue Wenying's affectionate display, so she said to Zhou Yu, "It's windy here, and I have a bit of a headache. I'll go to a sheltered spot on that high-rise building and wait for you. Once you're done, I need to talk to you, Your Highness."

Zhou Yu felt sorry for Liangdi's health and didn't want to keep her at the banquet. He said, "I'll have Zhou Yuan accompany you and take care of you. I'll come find you as soon as I'm done here."

"I need some peace and quiet," Su Yunxi said, then got up and left.

When Zhou Yu saw Zhou Yuan talking to the Empress, he knew that forcing Zhou Yuan to follow would make it seem like he was spying on a concubine, so he didn't do that to Xi Xi.

The banquet featured performances of singing, dancing, and swordsmanship, and everyone gathered around the stage to watch.

The Emperor and Minister Qin asked, "We'd like to see Qin Huai's swordsmanship. Why don't we have him spar with some of my princes?"

Lord Qin said politely, "It's nothing. Qin Huai, when you come, be sure to stop while you're at it. The princes aren't as resilient as you."

After Lord Qin finished speaking, he turned around to look for Qin Huai, but he couldn't find him in the crowd.

Madam Qin and Xue Wenying also turned around to look, but they couldn't see Qin Huai among the people watching the Imperial Guards' swordsmanship performance.

Liu Shun immediately replied, "The general was slashed by the envoy from the Great Qi and is now too weak to continue, so he went to the carriage to change his medicine. He will be back shortly."

Zhou Yu's face darkened; he was extremely bothered by it.

Lord Qin chuckled dryly, hoping that his son had really changed his medicine and wouldn't do anything shameful that he couldn't handle. Lord Qin coughed lightly, "This humble general will give His Majesty a performance."

The Emperor was momentarily stunned by Lord Qin's composure and immediately refused, saying, "No need."

Lord Qin maintained the proper etiquette between ruler and subject. "Is Your Majesty worried that this old minister's health is not good and he might have strained his back?"

The Emperor said, "The main problem is that you're too old to perform as well as younger people..."

puff.

***

Su Yunxi climbed to a high place alone; the moon was still quite round the day after the Lantern Festival.

My old knee injury makes me a little sore when I walk up stairs.

When the maids guarding the attic saw that it was the favored concubine, they all kowtowed and greeted her.

Su Yunxi waved for everyone to leave, then went to the high wall, placed her hand on the top of the low wall, and stared blankly at the full moon in the sky. She now had everything she wanted, but the seven years of happiness were gone.

Suddenly she heard footsteps and turned around to see Qin Huai slowly walking towards her. She had already taken the marriage certificate and emptied her trunk and valuables. He probably wasn't here to see her; he probably didn't like the noisy banquet environment and came here for some fresh air.

When Su Yunxi saw him arrive, she made way for him and turned to leave.

Qin Huai stepped over and grabbed her wrist before she could leave. He held her wrist very tightly. This was his woman, a woman who belonged entirely to him, though perhaps she had already given up on him.

Su Yunxi stared at him, puzzled, as he grabbed her wrist. "I don't think I took anything from you, did I? I only took my own things."

Qin Huai pulled her a little closer to him. "Four years ago, you came to find me, saying I was drunk. What did you hear? You walked away heartbroken in the rain, almost falling off a cliff but being saved by Zhou Yu?"

Su Yunxi was taken aback. How could she believe what she had said before? Hadn't she always thought that she was using sweet words to deceive and manipulate him?

Yes, because that night, she gave herself to him, and he knew that she and Zhou Yu were still innocent. Therefore, he knew that she had never betrayed him.